The Fall Season means that it’s time for your little ones to dress up like ghouls, ghosts, monsters, and princesses and go trick-or-treating. This time of year is so fun for your little ghoulies, but it can also be hazardous for their (and your) oral health. Read on for some tips on navigating the Fall Season without developing tooth decay.
Sort the Loot
If your children go trick-or-treating this year, you may want to sort their spoils. Some candies are especially bad for the teeth, so removing those types of candy could be wise. Hard candies, sticky candies, and sour candies can do more damage to the teeth than other types of candies. Hard candies and sticky candies linger in the mouth, giving sugars more time to harm the teeth. Sour candies can weaken the tooth enamel because they are very acidic.
Set Candy Limits
It may come as a surprise to you that when you and your child eat candy is important. Avoid grazing on candy throughout the day or snacking on it while watching a movie. Setting a specific time to eat candy can be very helpful. Right after a meal is a good time to eat candy because the saliva your mouth produces during a meal can help rinse away sugar and bits of candy. This reduces the risk of tooth decay.
Pause Before Brushing
You may think that hurrying to the bathroom to brush your teeth or your child’s teeth right after eating candy is a great idea. In reality, some candies (especially sour ones) are acidic and can weaken the tooth enamel. Brushing teeth right after eating these candies can damage the enamel while it is still sensitive. Instead of brushing right after eating candy, drink water to rinse the teeth and then brush 30 minutes later.
We invite you to contact Monticello Dental Center at 763-263-7100 today to learn more and to schedule a visit with our dentists in Big Lake, Minnesota, Drs. Calpas, Hendrix, and Amundson.